Abstract
Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is one of the most prominent problems in the field of assisted reproduction. Neu5Gc on the surface of decidual macrophages (dMΦ) leads to different activation patterns of dMΦ, which affects embryo implantation and development. Cmah−/− (Neu5Gc-deficient) mice induced to produce anti-Neu5Gc antibodies in vivo were given a special diet rich in Neu5Gc and their fertility was monitored. The long-term diet rich in Neu5Gc induced the decrease of endometrial receptivity of female mice. The pregnancy rate of female mice fed the normal diet was 63.6% (n = 11) and the average number of embryos was 9.571 ± 1.272, while the pregnancy rate of female mice fed the diet rich in Neu5Gc was 36.4% (n = 11) and the average number of embryos in pregnant mice was 5.750 ± 3.304. The intake of Neu5Gc and the production of anti-Neu5Gc antibody led to M1 polarization of endometrial dMΦ and abnormal embryo implantation.
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Data availability
All data generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Funding
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of Fujian (2021J02036) and Medical Innovation in Fujian Province (2022CXA018). These funding sources played key supportive role for sample collection, molecular analysis of patient samples, and bioinformatics analysis.
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Q-CL and FG planned the project. Y-XL, H-LZ, LW, YW, and Q-CL conceived of and designed the study. Q-CL performed the sample collection. YW, FG, and Q-CL performed immunhistochemistry. Q-CL performed the expression analysis. All authors reviewed the manuscript and approved the final version.
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All experimental procedures in animal work were approved by the Ethical Committee of Fujian Medical University. This study was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of Medical ethics committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The protocol was approved by the Medical ethics committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University [2023] 521.
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Yue, W., Huiling, Z., Yuxin, L. et al. Neu5Gc regulates decidual macrophages leading to abnormal embryo implantation. Genes Immun 25, 149–157 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41435-024-00268-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41435-024-00268-5